uncoveringambition-blog

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The advertisement above is meant to express to students and faculty at Marquette University, what student media is about. Not just it's function, but the personality of the entire media organization. The target audience is current students and faculty at Marquette. By posting this around campus; at each dorm, academic building and on social media sites, student media will be seen as a trustworthy source. A reliable source to read, view and share information. The call to action is on the advertisement is the website so students and faculty can link to each branch. 

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The video above captures the dedication and hard work of Marquette Tribune journalists and editors. With the timeline of the issue's completion unknown, editors could be camped out in Johnston Hall till the sun rises. According to Andrew Phillips, it is not taboo for that to occur. As editor-in-chief, Phillips finds these late night edit sessions essential. 

"It is how long it takes to put together the paper," said Phillips,"We have to do it at this time of night because we have to make sure everything is up to date and timely to be printed the next day."

When asked if all news publications do their editing on their hands and knees, Phillips explained that most newspapers do not have the time since most newspapers are daily publications. For Phillips, late night's are how quality publications are produced. 

It is commonly said that print publications are dying and everything is moving online. However, Phillips believes college newspapers like the Marquette Tribune fight this assumption. With the easy access and no cost offered by college newspapers, print is thriving on college campuses. 

"…it is completely free and it is distributed to all academic buildings and dorms. Students pick it up because its the only paper there is no cost for it," Phillips said.

The students involved in the Marquette Tribune are in control of arguably the most viewed student publication. With this large responsibility in their hands, every grammar mistake, content error or "widow" matters. 

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So You're a Comm. Major…

In taking a deeper look at how hard the participants of student media work to produce their publications, shows or projects, I return to one of my biggest pet peeves…Idiotic and disrespectful outsider perceptions of being a communications major. I can not keep count of the comments I get about how 'easy' I have it as a comm. student. My typical response, "Umm no." 

I think it was the time somebody told me I was majoring in finger painting that pushed me over the edge. I may not have my nose in a book ever hour on the hour, but I work very hard to grow in my professional experience through internships and participating in student media. Unfortunately, it is the communication students that are lazy and lack motivation that give everyone else a bad name. Let me remind the judgmental hypocrites out there that every field of work is different and one student does not define the whole communications field. 

You do not see me debating whether your profession is worthy of admiration and respect. Yes, I could go on about how regardless of whether your academic experience is more difficult than a communication's curriculum, your field of work has moral and ethical issues that surpass the measurement of any major's difficulty or purpose. However, I will end there because I am not a believer in stooping to the level of other. 

If staying up till 3 a.m. to write an article for a publication, editing a video for weeks, scoring multiple internships before graduation and developing creative skills is 'easy,' than so be it. Let's see your hospitals, engineering firms and multi-million dollar corporations get by without a communication's department. The experiences we gain in our 'easy' classes, student media experiences and internships is what will prepare communication students to represent other organizations and companies. 

So, to the guy who told me I was majoring in finger painting, I hope one day we meet again. Next time, do not worry I will bring some of my fancy pastel paints. Which eventually I hope will 'accidentally,' make its way on your snazzy suit.

In the end, all you have to do is step into student media offices and you can find those who are fighting the comm. student stereotype. These students, a majority of whom are studying more than one communication's specialty, dedicate time and hard work to communicate messages that deserve and need to be told. Whether recognition is rewarded or not. 

Finally, please note that the next time I hear "so, you're a comm. major…," expect this response:

"Yes I am and proud of it." 

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The Leader of Student Media's "Funhouse"

Meet, Andy Boyd.

Andy is the General Manager for WMUR Radio. Boyd is the backbone and go-to-guy at Marquette University's student produced radio station. You will find Andy and his 125 student disc jockeys hitting the airwaves in their radio booths and offices, everyday from 8 a.m to 2 a.m. Wow, these kids are busy! 

From sports, music programs of every genre, movie critique shows to many more specialty shows, students have freedom to produce a show on any topic of their choice. Some examples of specialty shows include;#GirlProblems and Bears. Beats. and Battlestar Galactica. (There is definitely no lack of creativity on show titles). 

Though hard at work managing the station and its wide variety of programming, Andy emphasized that his main focus is the experience DJs have at WMUR.

"My main thing is for DJs to have fun. But that they also develop into future leaders of tomorrow. That they also find their own voice and find who they are," Boyd said.

Andy's Escape

To an outsiders surprise, Andy is a law and politics student. Boyd joined Marquette Radio freshman year to escape from his difficult Marquette classes. He has learning a lot about himself in his time at WMUR.

"Before Marquette Radio I was an outgoing guy. But with Marquette Radio it showed me I can be whoever I want to be," said Boyd.

Boyd has served on staff since his first year at WMUR. Freshman year, Andy served as the Assistant News Director then moved up to Program Director for sophomore and junior year. Andy eventually stepped up to his current position, Station Manager. 

"The reason I wanted to be station manager is because I wanted to advance the station," said Boyd, "making sure we are moving forward into the future."

As WMUR continues on the upward trend, Andy believes that radio will always be a utilized medium and he hopes to incorporate the industry in his future profession.  

"I am very passionate about radio. You hear that people say print is a dying industry, but you never hear radio as a dying industry," said Boyd.

The Ultimate Question-Why Radio?

Just in spending one day with Andy, his passion for radio is evident. From his constant concern for his DJs and retaining the positive atmosphere at Marquette Radio, to his personal dedication to a field that is not even his primary study. Andy is reminding everyone what is ultimately important…having F-U-N!

When asked why he is passionate about radio, Andy said that the people and interactions with others is what brings him back to Marquette Radio. 

"Every time its the people. I love coming in and seeing my staff's smiling face," said Boyd,"Its the people, the passion, the learning from other people, the interacting…and the cute girls!"

From cute girls to his diverse staff and DJ group, Andy is running what I like to call the "Funhouse" of Marquette Student Media. Andy Boyd and the WMUR staff is a perfect example of how creativity, personal development and fun can bring an organization to life. 

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A Student Leader of Online Journalism

Meet, Erin Caughey.

Erin serves as the Director for Student Media Interactive. The newest branch of Marquette student media. As the head gal in charge, Erin oversees the development and inner-workings of this less known student media group (No worries, Erin is out to change that).

So, what is Student Media Interactive? Student Media Interactive (SMI) focuses on online production of multimedia content and web maintenance and development. SMI is responsible for student media websites and multimedia content for other branches. SMI staff including; three web programmers, a designer, a content manager, and four multimedia reporters. This small, yet talented, student media branch is moving into the future of the media business. 

With print publications moving to an online focus, multimedia content for the web is becoming essential. For Caughey, this change is exciting and she hopes to hold a future career in online journalism.

A Journey to Online Journalism

Erin did not always see herself in multimedia work. She came about journalism and online web production with a touch of Italian inspiration and a little help from the WB's Gilmore Girls. 

"I wanted to be Rory Gilmore," said Caughey. For those who were not avid Gilmore Girls watchers like Erin and myself, Rory was a student journalist at Yale. Basically, she made  journalism seem fun through the character's insane passion for her career. 

Erin started building her journalism skills by taking a student publications class at her high school. By the end of her high school career she was the editor and chief for the monthly publication. 

After involvement in Marquette's summer Urban Journalism Workshop for high school students, Erin decided Marquette was for her. Caughey would eventually work for the Marquette Tribune as a sports reporter, photographer, and news reporter. It was then her Italian study abroad experience that transformed her passion for journalism to digital work. As a participant of the Cagli Digital Storytelling program, Erin gained hands on multimedia experience in the beautiful Cagli, Italy.

"Now I am a online journalism junkie," said Caughey about her Italian adventure. 

Erin has learned through her experiences what her goals and ambitions are. She is a strong believer that with a go-getter attitude you can find your professional direction.

"the best way to get to know something is through experience," Caughey said. Erin's experiences at Student Media Interactive has taught her about the changing media industry.

SMI-Student Media's Key to Convergence 

Erin handles the editorial and management end of SMI. With those responsibilities comes the consideration of the future of student media as a whole. With convergence between different types of media becoming more prevalent, student media will follow in the trend. 

"The real world is changing, so will student media, said Caughey, "SMI will play a large part in the future." 

Due to SMI's web-based work, Erin believes the skills of her technical and content team will be vital for student media in years to come. 

The Ultimate Question-Why Journalism?

As Erin plays such a large part in the future of student media, I was drawn to ask what drives her to be passionate about journalism as a whole? Caughey believes the never-ending opportunities to learn is what makes it all worth wild.

"My favorite part is I get to learn something new all the time. With one story you are learning so much and covering such a broad range of topics," said Caughey.

As director of SMI, Erin is managing the secret weapon of Marquette student media. For in reality, the future of journalism and the coverage of different topics is moving with Caughey and Student Media Interactive...online.

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Recognizing Noteworthy Students (First Blog)

Nestled in the basement of Johnston Hall holds a collection of driven, talented and ambitious students. With over 125 student media staff and countless volunteers, these students are contributors to Marquette University student media. I am one of the lucky ones who call student media offices and studios their second home!

Hi! My name is Carolyn Portner. I am a junior studying broadcast and electronic communication and corporate communication. I label myself as music and caffeine obsessed, fun-loving, and friendly 20-year-old from the good ole' Naperville, IL. However, out of every label I have acquired, one of my favorite labels is assistant news director for MUTV. I am fortunate to collaborate with other students to do what I love. 

Some spend hours producing newscasts, sportscasts and sitcoms Monday thru Thursday for MUTV. Some camp out in the newsroom till 3 a.m. to design and edit the Marquette Tribune twice a week. Others produce the quarterly magazine issue, The Marquette Journal. The student media branches don't end there with radio hosts, web programmers, an advertising department and more!  

This blog will be dedicated to answering the question, Why? Why student media? Why radio, broadcast, or print? Why chose sleep-deprivation, stress and hard work for the creation of a issue, newscast or magazine publication?  

In the end, this uncovering of student positions and ambitions will answer some of my very own questions. How does my passion for broadcast compare to other student media staff and volunteers? As I hit a point where I doubt whether broadcast news is a long-term career, I hope to learn from my peers what ambition means to them.

Uncovering Ambitions will be a learning experience for myself. However, more importantly it is a well deserved spotlight on the work and dedication of the masterminds of Marquette student media. 

Enjoy as you are about to meet the future leaders of media.